Guide
Appliance Energy Ratings Explained for UK Buyers
A practical guide to reading appliance energy labels in Great Britain and Northern Ireland without treating the coloured letter as the whole buying decision.
Compare the measured consumption, capacity and programme information on complete labels for similar appliances. The A–G class is useful, but it is not a direct promise of your annual bill or a fair comparison across different product categories.
Last updated: 3 September 2026
Energy labels use standardised test conditions so shoppers can compare similar products. Your real consumption can be different because of programme choice, load size, frequency, maintenance and installation. Compare washing machines with washing machines of a suitable capacity, dishwashers with similar place settings, and dryers using the same label generation.
What the main label fields tell you
Not every field appears on every appliance label. Read the product-specific label and information sheet together.
| Label field | What it represents | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Energy class | A coloured efficiency band for a defined product category and test method. | Use it to narrow similar products, then compare the consumption figure and capacity. |
| kWh per 100 cycles | Energy used across 100 specified test cycles for current washing-machine and dishwasher labels and rescaled dryer labels. | Divide by 100 for a per-cycle planning figure, then apply your expected cycles and tariff. |
| kWh per year | An annualised figure found on older tumble-dryer labels using a standard usage assumption. | Use it as a label-based comparison and check that both dryers use the same label generation. |
| Water per cycle | Water used by the specified eco programme for washing machines or dishwashers. | Compare models of suitable capacity; it does not describe every programme. |
| Rated capacity | The load in kilograms or dishwasher place settings covered by the tested programme. | Avoid comparing efficiency without checking whether the capacity suits normal loads. |
| Programme duration | The length of the specified programme used for label testing. | Balance consumption with the time and routine the household can accommodate. |
| Noise value and class | Measured airborne acoustic noise and, where shown, its A–D noise class. | Use the dB value when location and night-time operation matter; do not confuse it with the energy class. |
| Repairability information | A repairability class is part of the new GB tumble-dryer label requirements after the staged transition. | Check the label date and market; do not assume an older label is missing information unlawfully. |
Washing-machine labels
- The energy-efficiency class uses the A–G scale.
- Energy is shown as weighted kWh per 100 cycles for the eco 40–60 programme.
- The label also covers rated capacity, water per cycle, programme duration, spin-drying efficiency and airborne noise.
- A larger capacity is not automatically better value; compare a size that suits normal loads.
- Programme names and actual results vary, so the manual and clothing care labels still matter in use.
Dishwasher labels
- The energy-efficiency class uses the A–G scale.
- Energy is shown in kWh per 100 eco-programme cycles, while water is shown in litres per cycle.
- Rated capacity is expressed as standard place settings.
- Eco-programme duration and airborne noise value/class appear alongside consumption.
- Compare rack layout and usable capacity as well as the stated number of place settings.
Tumble-dryer labels need an extra check in 2026. As reviewed on 3 September 2026, Great Britain is in a staged transition from the existing A+++–D format and temporary easement label to a rescaled A–G label. The 2026 regulations introduce stages on 10 April 2026, 19 September 2026 and 19 January 2027; government dealer guidance says the rescaled label with repairability information becomes the required display after the 10-month transition. Northern Ireland follows the applicable EU framework, so label timing and presentation can differ. Recheck the official guidance if reading this after the review date.
How to make a fair comparison
- Compare the same appliance type, installation format and a capacity that meets the same need.
- Check that both products use the same label generation, especially for tumble dryers.
- Use the measured kWh figure rather than deciding from the colour band alone.
- Enter your own electricity tariff and realistic cycle frequency in the calculator below; no tariff is assumed.
- Include programme duration, water, noise, installation, purchase cost and service support in the final decision.
- Treat the estimate as planning information rather than a guaranteed bill or saving.
Read beyond the letter
The class is only the first comparison
Capacity, water use, programme duration and noise can matter just as much as the coloured A–G scale. The exact fields change by appliance, so compare the complete labels of similar products.
- Class: a relative efficiency band for that product category.
- Consumption: the measured figure used for a more direct comparison.
- Other icons: capacity, water, time and noise under specified test conditions.
Use your own figures
Estimate the label-based running cost
Enter the energy figure printed on the label and the unit rate from your electricity tariff. This is a planning estimate, not a prediction of your bill.
Actual consumption can vary with the programme, load, ambient conditions, maintenance and how the appliance is used. Compare like with like and treat the result as one buying factor, not a guaranteed saving.
Related guides
When to Replace a Dishwasher — and What to Buy Next
A blocked filter, hose problem or one confirmed repair does not automatically justify a new dishwasher. Check the warranty, model safety status, fault pattern and complete quote before comparing replacements.
When to Replace a Tumble Dryer — and What to Buy Next
Start with safety, the confirmed fault and the complete repair quote. If replacement is justified, choose the dryer type from the installation and drying routine before comparing capacity or headline features.
When to Replace a Washing Machine — and What to Buy Next
Do not replace a washing machine because of age or one error code alone. Check the warranty and model safety status, understand the fault and quote, then compare the machine's wider condition with a like-for-like replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Does an A-rated appliance always use less electricity than a B-rated appliance?+
Within the same product category and comparable capacity, the class is useful, but use the stated kWh figure for the more direct comparison. Do not compare the letter across different appliance types.
Why is energy shown per 100 cycles?+
It makes small per-cycle differences easier to display and compare under the specified test programme. Divide by 100 and apply your expected cycles to create a planning estimate.
Does the eco programme always cost exactly what the label says?+
No. The label is based on standard test conditions. Real use can differ with load, programme selection, ambient conditions, maintenance and household behaviour.
Why do tumble-dryer labels look different?+
Great Britain is in a staged 2026–27 transition between label formats, and Northern Ireland follows applicable EU requirements. Compare the measured consumption only after confirming the label generation and market.
Can the calculator tell me how much a new appliance will save?+
It estimates annual energy and cost from the figures you enter. A defensible saving comparison needs equivalent label data for both appliances and realistic usage; it still cannot guarantee the bill.
Sources and editorial limits
Sources support the explanations and checks on this page. Follow the instructions for your exact model; these sources do not confirm the cause or condition of an individual appliance.
Read our editorial policy and source methodology.
- GOV.UK: Regulations — energy informationOfficial overview of UK energy-label coverage, display obligations and differences between GB and NI.Checked 3 September 2026
- GOV.UK: Washing-machine and washer-dryer energy-label fieldsOfficial GB label fields for energy, water, capacity, programme duration, spin performance and noise.Checked 3 September 2026
- GOV.UK: Dishwasher energy-label fieldsOfficial GB label fields for energy, water, place settings, programme duration and noise.Checked 3 September 2026
- GOV.UK: Raising standards for household tumble dryers — government responseOfficial explanation of the staged GB tumble-dryer label transition and dealer obligations.Checked 3 September 2026
- UK legislation: Household Tumble Dryers Regulations 2026Primary legal source for commencement dates and the new GB energy-information schedules.Checked 3 September 2026